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Concerned citizens caution Kano Assembly against abolishing new emirates
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
A Group of concerned citizens ‘The Advocacy Centre for Development’, formerly known as Society and the Future, have warned the Kano State Assembly to exercise cautions and put on hold the review of the law establishing the newly created emirates of Rano, Bichi, Gaya and Karaye, under the immediate past administration of Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.
KANO FOCUS reports that the warning was contained in the letter addressed to the Speaker of the Assembly, Jibrin Falgore, and signed by the group’s Director, Ibrahim Yusuf on Monday.
Recall that there has been agitations for the review of the law establishing the new four Emirates, with a particular organization, known as Kano Electorates writing the Kano State House of Assembly to revisit the law.
Below is the full text of the letter:
The Right Hon. Speaker,
Kano State House of Assembly.
Kano State House of Assembly Complex,
Audu Bako Secretariat,
Kano,
Sir,
THE NEED TO EXERCISE CAUTION AND PUT ON HOLD ALL AGITATIONS INVOLVING THE REVIEW OF THE LAW ESTABLISHING THE NEWLY CREATED EMIRATES IN THE FACE OF IMMINENT DANGERS LIKELY TO FURTHER DESTROY THE IMAGE AND INTEGRITY OF KANO STATE AND DISRUPT THE PEACE AND SECURITY NOT ONLY IN KANO STATE BUT ALSO IN THE NORTHERN NIGERIA AS A WHOLE
The Advocacy Centre for Development formerly known as Society and the Future, is a Non-governmental, non-tribal, not for profit, non-religious, and non-partisan organization, which was established in 2008, dedicated to making local and sustainable contribution in addressing the challenges of democracy, gender discrimination, sexual and gender based violence, health, environment, promoting peace and good governance. We believe in our courage of conviction that a better society is possible, and that sustainable development can only be achieved through collective action of both state and non-state actors, we remain resolute in minding our values in all that we do
Right Hon. Speaker, we are a concerned group representing the voices of many civil society organizations, academia, democracy champions and advocates for peace and security promotion in the North and in Nigeria at large. We operate precisely in the North Eastern States of Nigeria.
We therefore write to inform you that we are disturbed by the persistent hullabaloo on the new Emirates Councils created in Kano, sometimes in 2019 by the former Governor of Kano State, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje. Let me remind you that, all States in Northern Nigeria are connected to Kano State, either directly or indirectly, and therefore all social, economic and political decisions in Kano State have a tendency to affect the residents of other States either positively or negatively. It is therefore for this reason, all residents of Northern Nigeria have a moral right to speak about the happenings in Kano State, by way of sharing their thoughts with a view to help in providing advice that could help in arriving at a sensible and wise decision.
It is on this note, we wish to use this opportunity to draw your attention on the likely implications of responding to agitations to woo you and the House of Assembly, to abolish the additional emirates councils. This is because, the atmosphere is not even conducive to contemplate such action, it is ill-timed as the decision needs careful thought and wisdom, to avoid further polarization of the Traditional Institutions, create further enmity amongst the people of Kano State, destroy the little integrity left, of the Traditional Institutions in Northern Nigeria.
Right Hon. Speaker, let us put this on record that we were never in support of what the former Governor of Kano State Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje did to the original Kano Emirate, as it has grossly damaged the integrity of Traditional Institutions in Northern Nigeria. His singular action created a mess in the system which no generation in the future would forgive him. He ignited the fire of hatred amongst different royal clans in the State, ridiculed the Institutions to the lowest layer of shame and caricature in its entirety. Therefore, when a mess involving the interest of the people is created by insensible people and self -centered, the situation requires wisdom, careful thought and maturity to be handled. Therefore, a respected Institution like the House of Assembly, especially under your stewardship, should not succumb to agitations on the basis of sentiments.
Sir, our letter is informed by the love we have for Kano State, the people, your humble self and the State, to draw your attention on the imminent blunder which you would be making, and which may give the future an opportunity to write your name with a black pen, just like how the name of the former Governor Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje was written with a black pen.
It has not been long, Kano State got itself from the turmoil of imminent political crisis, and therefore
we cannot afford to use our money to invite another problem which the consequences may not be in our favour. We have a duty to allow innocent citizens to remain in peace. We believe that, you are also aware of the kind of hardship, the Nigerian citizens are passing through, let us not allow ourselves to be used to create another problem which may take away the relative peace the residents enjoy.
Yours sincerely,
Ibrahim Yusuf,
Executive Director.
Aminu Abdullahi
The adolescent girls initiative for learning and empowerment AGILE has been described as a major catalyst to educational development.
KANO FOCUS reports that the Emir of Rano, Alhaji Muhammad Isa Umaru, made the indication while receiving AGILE team in his palace.
According to him, Kano has witnessed significant progress in girl child education facilitated by AGILE, hence the need for traditional institutions and relevant stakeholders to contribute their quota to achieve the desired objectives.
He noted that, Rano Emirate has been at the forefront of ensuring enrollment retention and completion of girls education through various initiatives.
The emir called on the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) to upgrade the girls school in his community.
The monarch said, the school, located beside the palace, requires expansion to accommodate a larger number of students.
The traditional ruler suggested that AGILE should visit the school to assess its condition, saying that, relocating the school to a bigger location had been earlier considered.
In his remarks the permanent secretary Kano state ministry of education Alhaji Bashir Baffa explained that, they were at the palace to seek for support and blessings form the royal father.
He said, AGILE has fostered an enabling environment for girls through promoting behavioral changes through communication campaigns engagement with traditional rulers and advocacy.
He maintained that, the team has embarked on advocacy visits to all relevant stakeholders at community and state levels on the importance of girls education.
Alhaji Baffa hinted that the state government had declared a state of emergency on education, hence the need for the traditional institution to contribute its quota to achieve the desired objectives.
He posited that, the team will visit the school to see possible ways of intervening for the development of education.
The permanent secretary also used the opportunity to condole Rano emirate over the killing of its indigenes in Uromi.
KANO FOCUS reports that, earlier the team has paid a similar visit to Karaye Emirate council as part of efforts to advocate for support from the traditional institution and relevant stakeholders.
Aminu Abdullahi Ibrahim
The Kano State Ministry of Education’s Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) Project, supported by the World Bank, has successfully renovated over 1,300 senior and junior secondary schools in the state in the last three years.
KANO FOCUS reports that the state commissioner for education, Alhaji Ali Haruna Makoda, disclosed this during a visit to the Karaye Emirate on Tuesday.
He added that the AGILE program has enrolled more than 30,000 girls through targeted outreach, grants, and its Second Chance education initiative.
Makoda further revealed that the state government has finalized plan to construct 130 new schools in rural communities, with over 35,000 girls already benefiting from financial assistance under the scheme.
He urged the Karaye Emirate to lend full support to the program and prioritize girls’ education.
In his remarks, the Emir of Karaye, Alhaji Muhammad Maharaz, pledged the emirate’s commitment to advancing girls’ education in Kano State.
He commended the state government and the commissioner for their dedication to the programme’s success.
“It is our collective responsibility to support this initiative,” the Emir stated, calling for measures to ensure beneficiaries complete their education with strong academic outcomes.
The commissioner’s delegation consist of the Kano State AGILE Project Coordinator, Malam Mujitapha Aminu and other members of State Programme Implementation Unit (SPIU).
Aminu Abdullahi Ibrahim
Bayero University Kano (BUK) on Monday celebrated the 50th anniversary of its Faculty of Education and inaugurated its Alumni Association at the Convocation Arena of the university’s new campus.
KANO FOCUS reports that the event was graced by government officials, education stakeholders, and alumni all gathered to commemorate the faculty’s contributions to Nigeria’s educational sector.
In her keynote address, the State Minister for Education, Mrs. Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad announced the Federal Government’s Sector Renewal Initiative designed to transition Nigeria from a resource-based to a knowledge-based economy.
She highlighted that the aim of the renewal initiative consists of – Reducing the number of out-of-school children; combating learning poverty; nhancing skills development and human capital for the labor market
The minister noted that the initiative prioritizes Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET); Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM); Digital literacy and education quality assurance.
Mrs. Ahmad disclosed that the Federal Government had disbursed ₦35 billion to 261 beneficiaries under the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), with BUK among the top beneficiaries.
“So far, the scheme has received 420 applications, and we are scaling up investments,” she stated.
She further confirmed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved ₦120 billion to boost TVET programs, with plans to train 650 youths in technical, vocational, and digital skills over the next two years.
Emeritus Professor Sani Ahmad Sufi, former Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, praised the faculty for its high-quality graduates.
“Our pride lies not just in the number of graduates produced yearly, but in their impact across Nigeria and beyond,” he said.
He added that the faculty has produced Nigeria’s largest pool of graduate teachers many of whom hold key positions nationally and internationally.
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje applauded the faculty for its significant role in advancing education in Nigeria.
The event concluded with awards presented to distinguished alumni and supporters of the faculty in recognition of their contributions to its growth.
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